EXCLUSIVE ‘He’s gutted’: Harry Styles will NOT attend London premiere of new film My Policeman due to tour clash – after critics branded the singer ‘awkward’ in lead role

Harry Styles will not attend the European premiere of his new film My Policeman due to a tour clash, MailOnline can reveal.

The actor-singer, 28, is ‘gutted’ not be joining his co-stars including The Crown‘s Emma Corrin, 26, and David Dawson, 40, at BFI London Film Festival next week due to performing in Chicago on tour.

My Policeman, based on the novel by Bethan Roberts, premiered at Toronto International Film Festival last month and Harry attended the red-carpet and screening, but had to rush off mid-standing ovation to catch a flight to fulfil another music show.

Hectic schedules: Harry Styles will not attend the European premiere of his new film My Policeman due to a tour clash, MailOnline can reveal (pictured in September)

Hectic schedules: Harry Styles will not attend the European premiere of his new film My Policeman due to a tour clash, MailOnline can reveal (pictured in September) 

A source close to Harry said: ‘He’s gutted – but he doesn’t want to let down his fans in Chicago.

‘Starring in My Policeman means the world to Harry and attending the London film premiere would have been very special.

‘Music will always be his priority though and he’s committed to fulfilling every one of his Love On Tour dates.’

Fans attending the Special Presentation of My Policeman at London Film Festival on Saturday, October 15 paid £16 a ticket – and while many may have expected Harry to be there, he was never confirmed to attend. 

Missing out: The actor-singer is 'gutted' not be joining his co-stars including The Crown's Emma Corrin and David Dawson at BFI London Film Festival next week due to performing in Chicago on tour

Missing out: The actor-singer is ‘gutted’ not be joining his co-stars including The Crown’s Emma Corrin and David Dawson at BFI London Film Festival next week due to performing in Chicago on tour

The former One Direction star has been branded ‘awkward’ in the role by critics, who say his portrayal as policeman Tom is ‘tepid’ and a ‘blank lead performance.’ 

My Policeman, which arrives in cinemas on 21 October and launches on Prime Video on 4 November, is set in Brighton during the 50s and follows the love triangle of Tom, Marion, and Patrick.

Marion (Emma Corrin) is in a relationship with Tom, who begins to develop feelings for their friend Patrick (David Dawson).

As Tom and Patrick grow closer and, at a time when being gay was still illegal, their secret romance pushes the trio to breaking point.

Harry was recently criticised for comments he made about the film in an interview with Rolling Stone, where he said: ‘It’s not like ‘This is a gay story about these guys being gay.’ It’s about love and about wasted time to me.’

The LGBT+ community felt the singer’s remarks attempted to play down the film’s queerness and was a statement reminiscent of the very era the movie was set.

'Music will always be his priority': A source close to Harry told MailOnline: 'He's gutted ¿ but he doesn't want to let down his fans in Chicago' (pictured in May)

‘Music will always be his priority’: A source close to Harry told MailOnline: ‘He’s gutted – but he doesn’t want to let down his fans in Chicago’ (pictured in May) 

My Policeman is Harry’s second Hollywood film in a lead role after he starred alongside Florence Pugh and director girlfriend Olivia Wilde in Don’t Worry Darling.

Unlike My Policeman, which has fallen under the radar by comparison, Don’t Worry Darling hit the headlines after Florence clashed with film boss Olivia over her romantic relationship with Harry, which begun on set.

Florence was also unhappy by the way the film, which has been widely panned due to lack of substance, was marketed, focusing on her sex scenes with co-star Harry above all else.

She said: ‘When it’s reduced to your sex scenes… to watch the most famous man in the world go down on someone… it’s not why we do it. It’s not why I’m in this industry.’

The drama off-screen has proven all publicity is good publicity as Don’t Worry Darling is still topping the UK and Ireland Box Office.

Olivia’s film also became the UK and Ireland’s widest-ever opener by a female director, debuting in 694 locations on its first weekend of release. 

Drama: My Policeman is Harry's second Hollywood film in a lead role after he starred alongside Florence Pugh and director girlfriend Olivia Wilde in Don't Worry Darling (pictured in September)

Drama: My Policeman is Harry’s second Hollywood film in a lead role after he starred alongside Florence Pugh and director girlfriend Olivia Wilde in Don’t Worry Darling (pictured in September) 

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